Audi further charges up motorsports with RS Q e-tron E2

PHOTO: New RS Q e-tron E2 evokes the Audi Sport quattro in its final development stage for Group B rallying in the 1980s.

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Evolution of off-road racer channels spirit of Group B quattro, now all charged up to compete for overall victory in Morocco and Dakar rallies.

Following its debut with four stage victories at the legendary Dakar Rally held in January, as well as a first overall win at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in March, the electric-powered Audi RS Q e-tron has been thoroughly modified to further improve its performance. With the updates, the latest evolution is all set to challenge for overall victory in the 2022 Morocco Rally scheduled on October 4-9, and the 2023 Dakar Rally set in January. 

Now evolved as the RS Q e-tron E2 — evoking the Audi Sport quattro in its final development stage for Group B rallying in the 1980s — the fully electric off-road race machine’s body is completely new and gets significantly enhanced aerodynamics. These developments reduced both the vehicle’s weight and lowered its center of gravity. New operating strategies have made its electric drivetrain more efficient, while cabin controls are now easier for both the driver and co-driver. Even changing the wheels is now simpler, an advantage in top-level off-road racing.

The Audi RS Q e-tron E2 does not adopt a single body part from its predecessor. Its front and rear hoods have been redesigned using optimized fabric layers of composite materials to reduce weight. The cockpit, previously narrowly recessed toward the roof, is now much wider. The changes are meant to comply with regulations for the T1U prototype class.

Modifications that make the Audi RS Q e-tron E2 more aerodynamic include reshaping the fenders behind the front wheels, forming a better transition to the door. Along with other changes, the car’s aerodynamic drag was cut by around 15 percent. The improved aerodynamics and reduced weight means the electric-powered racecar has less energy requirements, allowing it more driving range.

The drivetrain of the Audi RS Q e-tron E2 uses two electric motors on the front and rear axles, which are supported by an energy converter consisting of an Audi TFSI internal combustion engine taken from a DTM racecar, and a generator. The system recharges the high-voltage battery while the vehicle is being driven, extending range. Combined, these provide an electric quattro system that drives the wheels. 

Audi’s experience at the Dakar Rally and other top-rung off-road racing events will be considered into the further development of the brand’s fully electric production e-tron range. All of these models have been successful globally, with consumer demand doubling each year for the last three years. 

In the Philippines, the Audi e-tron range of fully electric vehicles is made up of the Audi e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback SUV, as well as the e-tron GT and the RS e-tron GT four-door grand tourer models which prove electromobility can be fascinating and dynamic.

Both the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT have aesthetics designed for efficiency — from the headlights, quattro blisters, wheels, and to the large rear diffuser. Their outer skins are made entirely from aluminum. 

The two electric motors in the Audi e-tron GT provide a combined output of 530 hp and 630 Nm. In the Audi RS e-tron GT, two electric motors deliver 646 hp and 830 Nm. Located on each front fender of the cars are charging points for either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Home charging solutions can fully recharge an empty battery overnight. With a fully charged battery, the Audi e-tron GT can travel as much as 500 kilometers while the RS e-tron GT can reach as much as 481 kilometers (both according to WLTP tests). 

Globally, Audi plans to have more than 20 fully electric models by 2025, and will only release such vehicles by 2026 as part of its “e-volution,” or the company’s transformation into a leading provider of sustainable electromobility solutions.